Tip: To be sure you’re getting the flower color you want, buy a plant while it is blooming.

Planting a Tree or Shrub:

Determine where you want the tree or shrub to go, taking into consideration how sunny or shady the area is and how much space a mature plant will need. A garden center associate can help you determine the best plant for your conditions.

Make sure the soil is moist, but not wet, before you dig. Wet soil becomes compacted, making it tough for roots to penetrate. Grab a handful of soil, squeeze it into a ball, and release. Moist soil will crumble into pieces; wet soil will stay in a ball.

Dig a hole three to four times as wide as the container to make it easy for the roots to grow outward. The hole should be no deeper than the height of the container.

Fill the hole with water and let it drain.

Ease the plant out of the pot. If the roots were growing in a circle in the pot, gently spread them out.

Set the plant in the hole so that the place where the trunk meets the roots is at the soil line – not too high and not too deep.

Replace half of the soil and lightly pat it down, making sure to eliminate air pockets. Water and then fill the hole the rest of the way, gently compacting as you go.

Build a shallow saucer of soil around the perimeter of the hole like a moat to hold water.

Water gently but deeply. A strong jet of water washes away soil.

Mulch around the plant. Keep mulch 2-3″ away from the trunks of trees and shrubs. Do not mound like a volcano.

For the first two months after planting, water at least once a week if there is no rain.